JF Ptak Science Books Post 1839
Continuing a thread of interesting and odd observations of things that are empty, absent and disappeared are the following two images: the first, of the human soul; and the second, a picture of The Heaven.
The image above is a very spotty, molecular-like and modest image of the human soul, which seems to fill at least the outlines of the body, though there is a lot of nothingness in-between. I'm not sure if the cloth, or sheet, is in front or behind the soul, or if the soul is impregnated into the object; I think that I'd rather believe it to be in front, placed there for whatever slim modesty it affords the gone person behind it. This Outline (?), or Depiction (?) is found in Anima Hominis. (on pages. 88–9) from Charles Hoole’s English translation of Comenius’ Orbis Sensualium Pictus* published in 1659.
The English translation of the Latin verse reads as follows: :
The Soul is the life of the body, one in the whole: Only Vegetative in Plants. Withal sensitive in Animals; And also Rational in man.
This consisteth in three things;
In the understanding whereby it judgeth, and understandeth a thing good and evill, or true or apparent;
In the will, whereby it chooseth, and desireth, or rejecteth or misliketh a thing known.
In the Mind, whereby it pursueth the good chosen, or avoideth the evill rejected.
Hence is hope, and Fear, in the desire and dislike;
Hence is love and joy, in the fruition;
But Anger, and Grief, in suffering.
The true judgment of a thing is Knowledge; the false is Error, Opinion, and Suspicion.
I found this image while looking for something entirely different, and was tremendously and wonderfully interrupted, at She-Philosopher.
Also, earlier in this same book (occupying pp 10–11) is plate IV, Coelum ("The Heaven"), which as filled up with lines as it is still looks surprisingly empty--after all, no one's home.
You can click on the image for something large, or at least large enough to read the numbers hat are referred to in the verse. Unfortunately, the number "4" towards the bottom-left just refers to this being the fourth illustration, and does not find a home in the text (another 4 being present within the circle of the engraving). It would've been much more interesting had this extra-universal 4 referred to the whiteness around it, far removed from the depiction of what was thought to be the cosmos so neatly contained in the circles to its right. .
(I would like to point out that the use of the word "twinckle" toi describe starlight is about the earliest usage for the word that I've seen.)
The English translation of the Latin verse reads:
The Heaven 1. is wheeled about, and encompasseth the Earth 2. standing in the middle.
The Sun 3. wheresoever it is shineth perpetually, howsoever dark Clouds 4. may take it from us; and by its rayes 5. it causeth light, and the light, Day.
On the other side over against it is Darkness 6. and thence Night.
In the Night, shineth the Moon, 7. and the Stars 8. glister, and twinckle.
In the Evening 9. is Twilight, In the Morning, 10. the breaking, and dawning of the Day[.]
*The lovely and very full title is actually as follwos: Joh. Amos Commenii Orbis sensualium pictus. Hoc est, omnium fundamentalium in mundo rerum, & in vita actionum, pictura & nomenclatura. Joh. Amos Commenius’s Visible world, or, a picture and nomenclature of all the chief things that are in the world, and of mens employments therein. A work newly written by the author in Latine, and High-Dutch (being one of his last essays, and the most suitable to childrens capacities of any that he hath hitherto made) & translated into English, by Charles Hoole, teacher of a private grammar-school in Lothbury, London. For the use of young Latine-scholars. London: Printed for J. Kirton, at the Kings-Arms, in Saint Paules Church-yard, 1659.
The Soul is the Life tf the Body, oie in the ivhole. Only Vegetative in Plants;
Withal Seníltive in Animals;
And alfo Rational in Men.
This confifteth in three things;
In the Underftanding, wherehy it judget h, and underßandethy - a thing good and evil, or true, or apparent.
In the Will, •whereby it choofeth, and deßreth, tr rejeéleth, er mißiketh a thing knovn.
In the Mind, •whereby it purfueth
Anima eft vita corpoiii, una in tota.
Tantum Vegetativa In Plantis;
Simul Senßtinsa in Ahímalibus J,
Etiam Rational is in Hernie/i
liaec coniiftet in trihu»;
In Mente (Intelleflu) qua cognofcit, & intelligit, honum ac malum, vel verum, vel apparent»
In Voluntate-, qua eligir, Sc concupifcit, aut rejicit, & averfatur cogniuim.
In Animo, quo prpfequituv
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